Today's Buzz: FAMU hazing death: Fire university president?

Thursday's Buzz: FAMU hazing death: Fire university president?

May 24, 2012|Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board

FAMU drum major Robert Champion was beaten to death following last November's Florida Classic in Orlando in what prosecutors say was hazing at the hands of his fellow band members. Evidence released this week alleged that Champion was beaten with drum sticks and bass drum mallets and suffocated in a standard ritual sanctioned by the band's head drum major. The longtime director of the band has quit, but some critics think FAMU President James Ammons should be held accountable and fired by the university's trustees. Critics point to years of complaints from parents about hazing in the band and 100 ineligible members at the time of Champion's death. But Ammons' defenders argue that it's not realistic to blame him for the misbehavior of some band members, and that firing him could short-circuit his efforts to deal with hazing. Do you think Ammons should stay or go? Is he being unfairly scapegoated by the critics, or simply held to a standard that should apply to any university president? Talk about it!